Concrete burial vault



F 9, 1932. E. B. SPOQNA'M'QRE. SR 1 8 4,

CONCRETE BURIAL VAULT Filed Jan. 20, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 2- Feb 9 1932.

E. B. SPOONAMORE'. SR 1,844,447

CONCRETE BURIAL VAULT Filed Jan. 20. 1951 s Sheets -Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 9; 1932 EDWARD IB. SPOONAMORE, $3., JONESBORO, ARKANSAS CONCRETE BURIAL VAULT I Application filed January 20, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in the method of manufacture and construction of improved concrete burial vaults of the type more frequently referred to in the trade as a mausoleum. My principal aim is to generally improve upon prior art devices of this general classification by providing a distinguishable contribution to theart which is quite as simple If) and inexpensive in construction as similar structures with which I am familiar, and

which, it is believed, is characterized by fea-' tures and advantages not found in analogous vaults.

Structurally speaking, one of the principal features of the improved organization of parts is the two-way adhesive seal between the cover and body of the structure, whereby to provide a dependable joint of air and liquid-tight formation.

Another feature of construction is predicated upon the ornamental configuration of the protruding or elevated portion of the cover and an associated marker permitting the complete vault to be buried in the ground at a depth to permit said ornamental top to function as a memorial monument. A still further feature of the invention is founded upon the special texture of the lid and body portion providing a box-like enclosure whlch is impervious to the passage of moisture, whereby to provide for desired longevity. Then too, the improved structure is individualized by the incorporation therein of a horizontal divider or partition concrete slab or plate dividing the interior of the enclosure into upper and lower compartments, a portion of said divider serving to define one wall of a sealing channel, and said divider being constructed of absorbent material to absorb moisture from the lower compartment; said divider also serving so that the top chamber will provide for temperature equalization and a propriate insulation to increase the effectiveness of the complete structure. i 7

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

Serial No. 510,024. 7

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a mausoleum or burial vault constructed in accordance with the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof showing the manner in which it is buried in the ground to serve as a grave marker or monument.

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the complete assembly, with the so 7 parts in operative relationship, the section being on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a central transverse section on the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of 05 a portion of the cover.

Figure 6 is a fragmentar sectional view of one corner portion of the body or box.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the divider. Figure 8 is a longitudinal section on the line 88 of Figure 7.

As shown in Figure 3 for example, the body or receptacle portion of the structure is generally denoted by the numeral 9. This is of 7 customary rectangular configuration and is provided on its interior with an endless rib 10 constituting a supporting ledge.

Formed on the exterior of the rim portion of the box is an outstanding flange 11 whose no upper edge is disposed on a plane above the corresponding edge of the rib 10, said upper edge constituting a cover seat. The cover is I generally designated by the numeral 12. It comprises a flat topped marginal portion 13 5 and a concave-convex or curvate crown portion 14. This is designed for ornamentation purposes.

At one end of the part 14 is a recessed boss 15 to receive a name plate 16, these features serving as a monument, since this part of the structure is exposed above the ground 17 as illustrated in Figure 2 when the vault is embedded. Referring to Figure 5it will be seen that the marginal portion of the cover is 05 formed on its underside with a depending wall 18 adapted to be seated on and sealed to the flange 11. Spaced inwardly from and formed ontheinner side of the wall is a relatively short substantially wedge-shaped endleft standin I water shoul stay at a temperature of not a 5 fore indicated comprises ,a substantially rectangular plate or concrete slab 21 whose marginal portion is adapted to rest on the ledge 10. Formed integrally on and .rising from the top of the plate is a surrounding upstanding rectan ar frame 22. This is spaced inwardly rom the marginal edges of the plate and has a double function. It is adapted for close spaced relationship with respect to the underside of the cover and further functions as a wall to co-operate with the adj acent part of the rim of the box in defining a channel, said channel serving as a keyway for reception of the aforesaid key 19.

The sealing compound, which is of a suitable adhesive type, is generally designated by the ordinals 23 and it is filled into the spaces between the dependin projecting portions on the under margina 'portion of the 25 cover and the associated details of the di- Otherwise stated, the major portion of the sealing compound is located in the channel defined between the frame 22 and the adjacent marginal portion of the rim of the box, thus providing anchorage for-the key 19. A portion of the compound also locates itself between the upperedge of the frame 22 and the adjacent under portion of the cover. Moreover, the seal is located between the upper seating surface of the aforesaid flange 11 and the co-operating marginal wall of the cover.

The material to be used in makin triple seal surface mausoleum is as f0 ows: 40 The body 9 is to be made of two parts crushed flint, not over a quarter of an inch in size; one part washed sand; and one. art fresh Portland cement. All are to be oroughly mixed and medium wet so that the complete 4 mass will pour. The crushed flint used is non-absorbent. Metal-v covered forms with all. joints soldered will be used so that no water can be absorbed from the concrete.

The entire mausoleum is to be reinforced with three-eighths and quarter inch steel not farther apart than seven inches each way,

bottom, top, sides and ends. 'After the bottom piece shown has been cured the forms are to be vibrated both inslde outside to exclude the air in the concrete and-make it more compact. This part is to remain in the forms twenty hours. The forms are then removed and a thin coat of cement, which is to be pure cement and water is to be applied to the inside and outside, which is to fill the small air bubbles that were brought to the surface in vibrating. This piece is then filled full of water and for twenty-one days. This vider and upper portion of the body.-

the

less than sixt -five degrees F. The water is then remove and a coat of water-proofing compound is applied both inside and outside.

The horizontal divider 20 is to be made the same as above with the exception that the crushed .rock used is to be an absorbent stone and the mixture is'to medium dry mix and it isnot to becured or coated,as this pieceis to be. of an asorbent nature, so that it will take up any moisture that might rise from the lower chamber, and very important, the inner plate makes possible an inside seal. T v,

The lid or cover 12 is to be of the same material as the body, but is to be a medium dry mix. The entire outside of this cover is to be coated, while wet with a mixture fiveeighths of an inch thick of two parts fine crushed granite and one part fresh white cement. It is then to be cured. in water, after which it is to be ground smooth on the outside with carborundum brick, thenpolished' to a gloss. There is an impression 15 made in the head piece of the lid for the nameplate 'or marble, granite or bronze.

The mausoleum is to be made so that it will be at least three inches'thick at any oint of the walls, bottom or top. Itis ma e in two. chambers so that the top chamber will serve as a temperature equalizer and insulation means in extreme hot or cold weather. It also serves as a drying chamber for the lower chamber. x

The lid is so constructed that the mausoleum is sealed inside (which is made possible by the inner divider plate). The outside seal is made'possible by the dropped wall of the lid. An outstanding feature too, is the marginal wall 18 of the lid extending below the .top of the vault when sealed, making. it air and moisture tight. The air pressure inside the lid will keep the water out even if it should not be .sealed otherwise, making it possible to set them for future use and not seal them. The lid also serves as a monument, one that will not lean or get out of place. 1

The mausoleum is to be made in different sizes to accommodate different size caskets. In two style lids to conform to different cemetery regulations. The sealing mixture is to be sand and cement in equal proportions.

The foregoing structural features and ad-' vantages co-act in a collective and co-herent manner to provide a simple, yet economical vault which will fulfill the requirements of a structure of this'class in a'dependable and satisfactory manner.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawin will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. .Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecex While the referr d embodiment'oftheinvention has 11 shown and described, it is f to be understood that minor changes in shape size, and arrangements of parts coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

5 1. In a concrete mausoleum of the class ,de-

scribed, a substantially rectangular box-like body portion constituting a receptacle, the upstanding rim thereof being provided on its interior with an inwardly projecting rib 1o constituting a supporting ledge and provided on its exterior with an outstanding lid supporting flange, a divider plate of porous material removably seated on said ledge and dividing the body portion into upper and 15 lower chambers and said divider plate having an upstanding flange formed therewith, said flange co-operating with an adjacent portion of the rim to define a sealing compound channel, and a cover having a marginal depending my wall engageable with said first mentioned flange and formed inwardly from said marginal wall with a relatively short endless rib constituting a key for reception in said channel, and sealing compound inter sed 26 between the contacting portions of the y,

cover, and divider.

2. In a concrete burial vault of the class described, a substantially rectangular boxlike body including a bottom and an upstand- 30 ring surrounding rim, said rim being formed on its interior at a point spaced downwardly from the top edge with an inwardly projecting rib constituting a supporting ledge, the rim being formed on its exterior with a a cover supportin flange spaced downwardly from the top e ge of the rim, a horizontal bodily removable divider unit comprising a plate of absorbent material having its marginal portion seated removably on said ledge,

all said plate being formed with an upstanding marginal flange, the outer wall of which slopes upwardly and inwardly, said marginal flange being spaced inwardly from the marginal edges of the plate, said flange co-opert5 ating with the adjacent surrounding portion of the rim to define a channel adapted for reception of a sealing compound, and a removable cover having a depending marginal wall fitting telescopically down over the exterior of the upper portion of the rim and resting on said first mentioned flange, and formed on its bottom inwardly from said wall with an endless substantially Wedgeshaped rib constituting a key, said key depending into said channel.

In testimony whereof I afiix m si nature.

EDWARD B. SPOONAMSR SR. 

